Leadership

Chief Executive Officer

St. David’s South Austin Medical Center

Charles Laird was named chief executive officer of St. David's South Austin Medical Center in May 2019. Prior to joining St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Laird served as CEO of Menorah Medical Center―a full-service, acute care hospital in Overland Park, Kansas--for four years.

During his time at Menorah Medical Center, Laird developed and expanded key service lines, recruited regionally recognized physicians to advance program development, improved physician satisfaction, decreased nurse turnover, increased quality metrics and improved patient experience. Additionally, Laird secured funding for a $65-million capital expansion project. Laird began his healthcare administration career as an administrative resident for St. David's HealthCare. He also served as an associate administrator at St. David's Round Rock Medical Center early in his career before assuming a number of other leadership roles at hospitals in Texas and Kansas.

Earlier in his career, Laird served as chief operating officer at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Houston and chief operating officer at West Houston Medical Center.

Laird received a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and he earned his master's degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio.

Chief Financial Officer

St. David's South Austin Medical Center

Seth Herrick was named chief financial officer of St. David's South Austin Medical Center in May 2023.

Before joining St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Herrick served as the chief financial officer at Heart Hospital of Austin, where he was instrumental in the completion of several major capital projects, including the expansion of the hospital's intermediate and progressive care units. He also played a vital role in the launch of the hospital's Advanced Heart Failure Program.

Prior to his time at the Heart Hospital of Austin, Herrick served as vice president of finance in Medical City Arlington. In this role, he led data analytics for the hospital-based Next Generation Growth project supporting the hospital's five-year strategic plan. He also worked as a controller and a financial reporting manager for the hospital.

From 2007 to 2010, Herrick served as a financial analyst for John Peter Smith Health Network in Fort Worth. Before entering the healthcare industry, he worked as an information technology analyst for Burlington Resources in Fort Worth, which was later acquired by ConocoPhillips.

Herrick earned his master's and bachelor's degrees in business administration from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. He is also a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Chief Medical Officer

St. David's South Austin Medical Center

Dr. Malik Merchant, M.D., was named chief medical officer of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center in December 2024.

Dr. Merchant previously served as chief medical officer for Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso. During his time at Del Sol Medical Center, Dr. Merchant led the facility’s Joint Commission survey, streamlined operations and improved facility throughput. He also provided executive support to the hospital’s Graduate Medical Education and Level II trauma programs.

Prior to his work at Del Sol Medical Center, Dr. Merchant was part of the leadership team at Austin Diagnostic Clinic, serving as section chief of hospitalists and post-acute care, as well as a consultant for hospital-based programs.

Dr. Merchant earned his medical degree from Aga Khan University Medical Center in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his residency and internship in internal medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Merchant holds professional memberships through the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and the Society of Hospital Medicine.

Chief Nursing Officer

St. David’s South Austin Medical Center

Jonelle Thomas was named chief nursing officer of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center in July 2025.

Thomas previously served as the chief nursing officer at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, where she maintained top performance in quality metrics, implemented leader development and created strategies to improve employee engagement. Before joining St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, Thomas served as assistant chief nursing officer at The Medical Center of Aurora, a 467-bed Level II Trauma Center in Aurora, Colorado. In this role, she oversaw the emergency department and served as the executive sponsor of the Patient Care Technician Council and Nursing Cabinet Council.

Prior to this, Thomas was the assistant chief nursing officer at Sky Ridge Medical Center — a 284-bed Level II Trauma Center in Lone Tree, Colorado — where she designed and implemented a Specialty Training Apprenticeship for Registered Nurses and a nurse advisory group to support new nursing graduates. Before serving as assistant chief nursing officer, Thomas was director of medical telemetry at Sky Ridge Medical Center. She also served as an assistant nurse manager for the intermediate care unit at Rose Medical Center in Denver and as a nursing supervisor and nursing services manager at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Denver.

Thomas earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Chief Operating Officer

St. David’s South Austin Medical Center

Howard Garner was named chief operating officer of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center in June 2026.

Previously, Garner served as chief operating officer of St. David’s Surgical Hospital, where he led the hospital through a period of transition while maintaining its trajectory of growth. During his tenure, he helped strengthen physician and employee engagement, contributing to improved patient experience scores and recognition for the facility.

Prior to serving as chief operating officer of St. David's Surgical Hospital, Garner was vice president of operations at St. David's North Austin Medical Center. In that role, he oversaw eight clinical and ancillary departments, including the cardiac cath lab, radiology, pharmacy, laboratory, respiratory therapy, food and nutrition services, environmental services and volunteer services.

Before joining St. David's HealthCare, Garner served as vice president of operations and director of business development at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio.

Garner earned a Bachelor of Science in applied economics from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University. He serves on the board of the American College of Healthcare Executives Central Texas Chapter and is a resident mentor for the Baylor University Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership MBA program.